Santa Cruz County, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCCC § 13.10.614 (Ord. 5423, 2022)
- Applies to
- Private residential/agricultural parcels countywide
- 1 event, no music
- Zoning clearance only
- 2+ events or amplified music
- Conditional use permit, 5-yr term
- Notice required
- Mailed to owners within 500 ft, 10 days ahead
- Amplified music hours
- 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Summary
A street-fair-style festival on private land in unincorporated Santa Cruz County runs through the community events and fundraisers rule at Santa Cruz County Code § 13.10.614, not a beach-specific permit. One festival a year without amplified music only needs a zoning clearance, but two events, or any event with amplified music, requires a conditional use permit good for five years under Chapter 18.10.
(A) Purpose. Recognizing that not-for-profit community events of a civic, political, public, or educational nature, such as community dinners, festivals, and other public gatherings, enrich public life ... this section establishes permit requirements and standards to allow for the use of private parcels in the residential and agricultural zone districts for community events and fundraisers ... (C) Approval Procedures. (1) One event without amplified music on a property may be allowed subject to a zoning clearance review in accordance with SCCC § 18.10.015 ... (2) The use of a property for two community events or fundraisers in a year, or one or two events with amplified music, requires approval of a conditional use permit in accordance with Chapter 18.10 SCCC.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).
Full Breakdown
614 governs not-for-profit community events of a civic, political, public, or educational nature, such as community dinners, festivals, and other public gatherings, held on private parcels in residential and agricultural zone districts countywide, including CA, A, RA, RR, R-1, RB, RM and RF districts, where the event is secondary to the parcel's primary use. 015, verifying compliance with the standards in subsection (E)(1). 10, which expires five years after issuance and can be renewed if past events complied with their conditions. if no discretionary permit is required, meet Environmental Health Services sanitation standards, provide covered trash receptacles and erosion control, and arrange sufficient parking.
050, a potential noise analysis, food service compliance, and fire agency review of emergency vehicle access. 614 instead governs privately hosted festivals and community events anywhere in the county's residential and agricultural zones.
Violations & Fines
Holding two or more community events or fundraisers a year, or any event with amplified music, without the required conditional use permit violates § 13.10.614(C)(2) and is treated as an unpermitted zoning use. Because no penalty is written into this section itself, a violation defaults under § 1.12.010 to a misdemeanor, punishable under § 1.12.030 by up to six months in County jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, and can also support permit denial on other County applications under § 1.12.060.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to host a small street fair on my property?
How much notice do neighbors get before a community event or street fair?
What hours can amplified music run at these events?
Is this the same permit used for beach festivals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
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